Hyperthyroidism - The Time bomb

The reason I have devoted a page to this condition, is that I feel it is extremely hard to treat.

Certainly, home remedies are questionable as many can actually make the situation so much worse. It is like negotiating your way through a maze. The Thyroid is a very sensitive gland

Hyperthyroidism should be treated on tip toes. A wrong move and the bomb explodes. Supplements can make Hyper symptoms worse if you don't know what to take. You could end up in hospital with Thyroid Storm. Unfortunately, treating Hyperthyroidism remains a challenge.

The reason for this is, that when our thyroid is underactive, the hormone thyroxine can be supplemented. While this is not always completely successful, it does help.

When the gland is overactive treating it is difficult and remains a challenge for the medical profession.

Generally the treatments are: Radioactive Iodine, beta blockers, anti-thyroid medications like Carbimazole (also called Neo-Mercazole) which aim to reduce the amount of thyroid hormone produced, and thyroidectomy either partial of full(removal of the thyroid gland)

The two main causes of hyperthyroidism are Autoimmune disease (Graves) and overproduction of thyroid hormone by benign thyroid tumours or nodules.

What are the Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism?

I have also detailed these on the Thyroid Guide page, but as a reminder:

Gritty or bloodshot eyes and sensitivity to sunlight

A starey or shocked look to the eyes. (Eyelid retraction)

Puffy eyes and eye bags and aching eyes

Thinning of hair and hair loss. A “wispy” appearance to the hair

Mood changes and an irritable, aggressive feeling

Over talkative

Racing thoughts

Insomnia: Inability to sleep due to the need to be active or over active and racing thoughts

Anxiety and nervousness including Globus Hystericus - this can be extreme.

Over excitable

Palpitations. These can be quite severe. Shortness of breath may accompany this and this can also be quite severe.

Fast thudding heart rate and feeling sick or even being sick.

Feeling extremely breathless and faint or even actually fainting.

Excessive sweating and generally feeling very warm or even hot.(heat intolerance)

Large appetite even though there is a loss of weight. Sometimes you have no appetite at all.

Weight loss (almost always)

Swollen tender neck

Diarrhoea or more frequent bowel movements and IBS

Absence of monthly period or scanty very light period

Weakness, especially arms and legs

Muscle wasting and aches and pains

Tiredness and exhaustion although unable to sleep at night. Sometimes falling asleep during the day instead.

Feeling nauseous

Itchy skin all over. This sometimes comes on more at night.

Swelling from retention of fluid

Trembling and shaking and jerky movements.

Reduced fertility

Inability to keep still for any length of time

Boils and mouth ulcers

Increased risk of miscarriage

Low blood pressure

Can cause Atrial Fibrillation and strokes in extreme cases

Protrusion of the eyeball (in Graves disease)

Dry skin or excessively oily skin

Increased or reduced libido.

Extreme stress

It is also worth noting that those of us who have Hashimoto's disease may have gone through a period of Hyperthyroidism or Hashitoxicosis prior to the complete failure of the thyroid gland.

What can be done?

One thing for sure is that you should stay clear of foods and supplements containing Iodine as this will aggravate the situation.

Avoid all stimulants such as tea, coffee, cigarettes and avoid alcohol, wheat, shellfish and seafood, foods containing kelp, and dairy products.

Increase cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts and spinach.

Zinc can increase thyroid hormone production so care is needed in supplementing this mineral. Please read more about this here along with minerals that help both hyper and hypo conditions

Selenium is still needed by hyperthyroid patients.

Minerals play an important part in maintaining thyroid function for both the hyper and hypo element.

An out of balance situation affects thyroid function or aggravates an all ready out of balance thyroid.

Thyroid patients need more minerals because they are already depleted. Hypo and hyper needs are usually different but in some cases they are the same.

Since we are dealing with Hyperactive thyroids on this page, we will discuss only that to avoid confusion.

Copper and Zinc. The needs here are very different for hyperactive thyroids to underactive.

Copper is depleted and needs to be built up.

Propolis can help goitre and also help stabilise under and overactive immune systems.